Tornado shelters could soon be required by law

Tornado shelters could soon be required by law

PIEDMONT, Okla. — May 24, 2011 will never be erased from Deborah Hamil’s mind. Her daughter-in-law and three grandchildren tried to ride out the violent EF-4 tornado in a bathtub. The home was wiped off its foundation and the two youngest boys were swept away and killed.

Hamil said, “Had it had a shelter in the garage, right outside the door in the garage, of course hindsight is 20/20, I would still have my grandchildren today.”

The Hamil family is now pushing state lawmakers to support the Ryan and Cole Hamil Act.

It mandates that all new home construction include a storm shelter or safe room.

Hamil said, “Tornadoes are coming at 1:30 a.m. We can’t have families in cars looking for shelter. Their home should be the safest haven they have.”